Transforming Markers: Diy Alcohol Ink Magic

Alcohol markers are a popular choice for artists due to their ability to produce smooth, vivid colours and quick-drying properties. They are also known for their blending capabilities, which can be achieved by using a colourless blender or layering colours on top of each other. To get the best results, it is recommended to use thick, smooth paper to prevent bleeding and tearing caused by layering ink.

However, alcohol markers can be expensive, and the ink can dry out quickly. One way to save money and revive dried-out markers is to make your own alcohol ink from old markers. This involves extracting the fibrous material that holds the pigment and cutting it into small pieces before placing them into jars with isopropyl alcohol. The ink can then be used with glass dropper bottles and applied to non-porous surfaces for unique designs.

Prepare your materials

To prepare your materials, you will need to gather old markers, gloves, small glass jars, pliers, a funnel, isopropyl alcohol, a work surface cover, paper towels, and a well-ventilated workspace.

Start by putting on gloves to protect your hands from the ink and isopropyl alcohol. The ink can stain your skin, and the alcohol can irritate it. Prepare your workspace by covering the surface with newspaper or another disposable material. This step is crucial, as the process can get messy with spills and splatters. Ensure your work area is well-ventilated, as isopropyl alcohol has strong fumes that can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

Next, collect all the old markers you plan to use. Different colours can be combined to create new shades, so feel free to experiment with various marker colours. Primary colours like red, yellow, and blue will give you a versatile palette to mix and create new colours. You can also create secondary colours like green and purple by mixing the primaries.

Using the pliers, carefully open the ends of the markers and pull out the tips. You will notice a long fibrous material behind the tip that soaks and holds the pigment. Cut this fibre into small pieces and place them into your small glass jars. You can group similar colours together in the jars to create concentrated shades.

Once you have prepared the marker fibres, you can move on to the next step of adding isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, is easily accessible and effective for this process. Aim for a high percentage of 70% or higher for optimal results. Fill your small mason jars halfway with the alcohol. You can always dilute the colours later if needed.

Extract the ink

To extract the ink from your markers, start by putting on some gloves, as this can get messy. Remove each marker tip/nib and place it in a jar. Behind the tip is a long fibrous material that soaks and holds the pigment. Slide it out carefully and cut it up into small pieces so that it fits into the jars more easily.

If you have a lot of colours, you can group them into colour families. The primary colours of red, yellow, and blue are a versatile base for mixing a wide range of colours. You can also create secondary colours like green and black. Small glass jars are ideal for holding the pieces.

If you want a concentrated colour, fill the jars halfway with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). A high percentage of 70% or more is ideal. Some commercial alcohol inks use ethanol, a stronger type of alcohol. Seal the jars well, as alcohol evaporates quickly.

Alternatively, you can revive dried-out markers by pouring alcohol directly into the ink tank. However, this method can result in unexpected ink blots and smudges. Instead, gently insert the marker tip into the alcohol, fully immersing it. Allow the marker to soak for 5-10 minutes. The alcohol dissolves the dried pigment, restoring ink flow. Remove the marker, shake it, and gently dab the tip on a tissue or paper towel to check if the ink is flowing smoothly. If not, repeat the process.

Add isopropyl alcohol

To convert regular markers into alcohol ink markers, you can add isopropyl alcohol to them. This process involves several steps and requires caution due to the flammable nature of isopropyl alcohol.

First, put on gloves to protect your hands from the ink. Using pliers, open the ends of your markers and remove the tips or nibs. Behind the tip is a fibrous material that absorbs and holds the ink. Cut this fibre into small pieces and place them into jars. Group the colours together to create a concentrated colour, and you can dilute it later if needed.

Next, fill a small container or cup with isopropyl alcohol, ensuring it is deep enough to submerge the marker's tip completely. Immerse the tip of your marker into the alcohol and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. The alcohol dissolves any dried pigment, restoring ink flow. After soaking, remove the marker and shake it gently to dislodge any remaining pigment particles. Test the marker by dabbing it on a clean tissue or paper towel to check if the ink is flowing smoothly. Repeat the soaking process if necessary.

When creating your ink, use a high percentage of isopropyl alcohol, preferably 70% or higher, and fill your jars halfway. Seal the jars well to prevent evaporation. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly, so it is essential to work in a well-ventilated area and wipe up any spills immediately.

By following these steps and being cautious of the safety considerations, you can successfully convert regular markers into alcohol ink markers by adding isopropyl alcohol.

Mix and dilute

To mix and dilute your ink, you can use a glass dropper bottle, or reuse old essential oil bottles. You can also use tall glass screw-top jars to add solvent. It is important to note that isopropyl alcohol has some safety considerations. It is flammable, and the fumes can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Therefore, it is recommended to work in a well-ventilated area. You can use a funnel to avoid spills, and seal the bottles tightly as alcohol evaporates quickly.

To dilute the ink, you can use commercial solvents or alcohol. Some commercial alcohol inks use ethanol, a stronger form of alcohol. Using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is also an option, and a high percentage of 70% or more is recommended. Fill your chosen container about halfway with alcohol.

You can also dilute the ink by mixing primary colours together. For example, red, yellow, and blue can be mixed and matched to create a variety of colours. You can also create green and black by mixing other colours.

If you are using dried-out markers, you can revive them by pouring alcohol directly into the marker ink tank. However, this method may result in unexpected ink blots and smudges. Instead, gently insert the marker tip into the alcohol, fully immersing it. Allow the marker to soak for 5-10 minutes, then remove it and shake to dislodge any remaining pigment particles. Dab the marker tip on a clean tissue or paper towel to check if the ink is flowing smoothly. If it is still not working, repeat the process and test until you achieve the desired results.

Alcohol markers are known for their ability to blend and layer colours smoothly. They are excellent for creating gradients and smooth transitions between colours. To achieve the best blending results, it is recommended to keep the paper or ink wet before applying the next colour. Alcohol ink works best on non-porous surfaces, as it does not soak into the surface.

Store in a dropper bottle

Glass dropper bottles are a great way to store your ink. They make the ink easier to use and allow you to add solvent to your ink. You can reuse old essential oil bottles for this purpose. It is important to seal the bottles well, as alcohol evaporates quickly. Isopropyl alcohol, which is often used in this process, has some safety considerations. It is flammable and can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, so it is best to work in a well-ventilated area.

To prepare your ink for storage, first, put on gloves, as this process can be messy. Then, pull out the marker tip and fibrous material from the inside of the marker and cut them into small pieces. You can group the pieces by color to keep the ink colors distinct. Next, fill your glass jars halfway with isopropyl alcohol. A high percentage of 70% or more is recommended. You can dilute the colour later if the concentration is too high.

Once you have prepared your jars, you can begin extracting the ink. One way to do this is to pour alcohol directly into the marker's ink tank. However, this method can result in unexpected ink blots and smudges. Instead, try inserting the marker tip-first into the alcohol and letting it soak for 5-10 minutes. The alcohol will dissolve any dried pigment that is obstructing the ink flow. After soaking, remove the marker from the alcohol and shake it to dislodge any remaining pigment particles. Gently dab the marker tip on a clean tissue or paper towel to see if the ink is flowing smoothly. If it is still clogged, repeat the process until you achieve the desired results. Finally, clean the tip gently with a tissue or paper towel to remove any excess alcohol.

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